Coventry City beat Premier League rivals to first summer signing | OneFootball

Exclusive: Carl Rushworth is keen to keep working with Frank Lampard in the first deal of a busy transfer window

Coventry City are expected to table a bid to sign loanee goalkeeper Carl Rushworth on a permanent deal.

Standard Sport understands that despite interest from several Premier League clubs, including Newcastle, Coventry are frontrunners for Rushworth’s signature.

The 24-year-old, who is keen to extend his stay at the club, has excelled on loan from Brighton and was key to Coventry securing promotion back to the Premier League for the first time in a quarter of a century.

Frank Lampard has been instrumental to Rushworth’s development this season, and the English shot-stopper is understood to be keen to continue working with the Coventry manager.

Carl Rushworth

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A permanent deal for Rushworth is expected to be the first deal of an aggressive approach to the transfer market, as Coventry aim to consolidate their top-flight status next season.

Rushworth is highly regarded, and turned down approaches from Arsenal and Manchester United to sign for Brighton from Halifax Town in 2019.

He was close to being called up to Thomas Tuchel’s England squad over the March international break, and hopes that the promise of regular minutes will improve his chances of international recognition.

Rushworth has yet to make his first-team debut for Brighton, and was left unconvinced by the opportunities on offer to him at the south coast club.

Brighton are still in the hunt for European football, having won four of their last five Premier League games.

Fabian Hurzeler’s side are sixth in the Premier League table and currently on course to qualify for the Europa League.